Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac brand is part of the General Motors family, and is home to many of the automaker's more performance-oriented vehicles. Currently, the marque offers a broad range of sporty cars and SUVs. However, as part of GM's restructuring plan, the brand is slated to be discontinued by the end of the 2010 model year.

Pontiac originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907; it was founded by Edward Murphy. Acquired by General Motors in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. Dubbed the "Chief of the Sixes," the car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and made its debut at that year's New York auto show. It was so successful that the Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 1930s and '40s Pontiac made coupes, sedans and wagons in the low-to-mid price ranges. A unique styling cue of Pontiac cars from the mid-'30s to the mid-'50s was known as "Silver Streak," a set of art-deco-inspired chrome "speed lines" that ran up over the length of the hood to the base of the windshield.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the Pontiac Bonneville. The sprawling, stylish cruiser offered equal measures of performance and luxury, and was a breakout hit. But it wasn't until the 1960s that the Pontiac brand truly came into its own. American manufacturers had begun to offer downsized alternatives to the gigantic cruisers that had ruled the highways in previous decades. Pontiac came to market with the compact Tempest. In 1964, Pontiac made its biggest impact yet with the creation of the GTO option for the Tempest. By equipping the car with the powerful 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-size car line, Pontiac created the first "muscle car." Phenomenally successful, the GTO helped define the burgeoning muscle car category. Pontiac also saw tremendous success during the latter part of this decade with its Firebird and Firebird Trans Am.

The oil crisis of the '70s made fuel efficiency a priority for many car buyers. Following the lead of its GM siblings, Pontiac made compact vehicles like the Ventura and Phoenix a major part of its lineup. The '80s saw the launch of the two-seat Pontiac Fiero. Despite its modest beginnings (it was initially marketed as a "commuter car"), the Fiero eventually blossomed into a credible sports car.

The '90s saw the launch of Pontiacs like the Sunfire and Montana minivan. Pontiac has slowly lost sales due to changing tastes and a lack of differentiation between its models and those of other GM divisions. In hopes of recapturing past glory, the division embarked on a plan to retire aged models and introduce all-new ones with distinctive styling and personality. For a while, the effort seemed to be bearing fruit. New models like the Vibe, Solstice and G8 made Pontiac a brand to consider in many segments. However, GM's financial troubles in 2008 and 2009 have resulted in the company's decision to phase out Pontiac as a brand. It's expected 2010 will be Pontiac's last year for new models.

User Reviews:

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  still going? - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ROY - November 4 - 10:00 am

  It been a good little car but with a lot of problems. After 4 attempts to fix transmission gringing noise problem still persists. A/C lower 2 settings no longer work. Fuel gauge failed and needed replaced. Low on power compared to competitors. Seat are now worn out. This car is only 3 years old with only 42000 miles on it.

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  Not enough Power - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Ballsaga - October 24 - 10:00 am

  i have found the firbird to be a dissapointment, if you are looking for something that goes, buy a trans-am, pay the extra money, i wish i did.

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  Uncomfortable seats, but good car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By J Rex - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I didnt do enough research and Im regretting it. It’s a good car, but when commuting two hours/day, some things I don’t like. The seats are uncomfortable in shoulder width. I don’t have wide shoulders, but only one fits in the center part of the seat. The other is on the bolsters. Wearing down the cushion may help. I’m too high. Can’t believe that seat doesnt go lower. When I put the visor down, it blocks my view. I’m 56" Getting in/out is more difficult than in my Civic. The steering wheel gets in the way. Great power. HVAC good, but back window fogs. Back window is difficult to see out of when raining.

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  Good at first, but it all went downhill - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By lilseany - October 17 - 7:30 pm

  I bought this car with 27,000 miles on it one year old. It started out as a smooth ride with a lot of power. After one year I had to completely replace the brakes. After hiting the 70,000 mile mark, Ive had to replace the alternator (very expensive for this car) and the fuel pump (also pricey). The car is constantly having some sort of electrical problem and sometimes it just doesnt want to start and has to have the computer reset. It has left me stranded too many times. I cant wait to trade it in!!! I shouldve listened to the guy who stopped me at a gas station and warned me that these cars fall apart after 60,000 miles

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  Dont waste your money - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By ptg - October 17 - 3:13 pm

  I bought this car with high hopes getting out of a high price for repair VW. Well good thing this car came with a great warranty because I used it 4 times already. My clutch had a manufacturing defect which made it pop off the plate twice leaving me stranded. So they put in a new clutch plate. Then my rotors went at 9000 miles and had to be resurfaced, which they called normal. Ive had cars go 30k and not need that. This car just feels poorly made overall. Its peppy for a 4 banger but the handling is too loose and the transmission shifts awkwardly rough compared to my old cars. I really wouldnt waste your money. Ill definitely never buy another Pontiac again.

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  99 Grand Am... love it, and hate it. - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By maryjane0909 - October 15 - 2:23 pm

  The car looks fantastic. Drives great, and its fast...its gotten me a ticket or two. i fell in love with it until about a month after i had it. it hit 100,000 miles about a month ago. it over heats, leaks coolant,and has a security light problem. Often, it only starts when it feels like it. I get stranded on a weekly basis. Also, when the car gets hot, it goes haywire; i lose power steering, i cant accelerate the car, and although the car is still on, it appears to shut down completley....while im still driving it!

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  Like the car hate the finish - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By floridaskater - September 21 - 10:30 am

  Living in Fl. I use the retractable hard top often and have never had a problem with it. Although it is a little awkward having to hold a button down for 30 sec. to lower the top. I have had so so gas mileage. My major problem has been with the finish on the hood of the car. It started chipping in November 2007. The dealer fixed it then and said they did the whole hood. Now I am having the same problem in the same spot 8 months later and they want to charge me for the repair. I have read other G6 consumer reviews who have had the same type of problem. Made a complaint to GM Service center but they went along with the dealer and said it was my problem to fix.The finish is poor on the G6.

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  If your looking at getting a Aztek!! Run - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By RUN!! AWAY!! - September 19 - 3:30 am

  If you are looking at buying an aztek because they are roomy or because they have the cool camping package. You are not going to like it once you recive the bill! You are reading information from a real Pontiac aztek owner and I am (warning you plz do not buy this suv) yes you! I am sick and out of thousands! I cry everyday for what this aztek has done to me! I am a single mom and now have no car. I have owned this suv for 5 yrs and put a computer in, Windows dont work, 2head, oil pump, fuel pump, intake sensor, gas-Gage wont read, radiator, starter, conpressor, and now at 121,000 motor with a 4g bill! And I only have 4 payment left to make to the bank on it! Dont let it take you for a ride like it did me! Ty

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  Winter Handling - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By irish - September 5 - 2:03 am

  I have a 2006 Pontiac Torrent and it is absolutely the worst handling car I have ever driven in the snow. The traction control light goes on but doesnt seem to help at all. Starting,stopping, and cornering are all bad. Any faster than 3 - 5 mph around a corner, and it will spin. Much worse than my S-10.

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  Beware of Pontiacs - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Ashley - September 4 - 9:06 am

  Do not buy a Pontiac, especially from this dealer (Capitol Buick Pontiac GMC in Baton Rouge)! I have only had the car for six months, and it has been in the shop over six times for the same things (broken speaker, leak in the sunroof). I traded in a 97 Nissan Sentra that had only been in the shop for repairs twice in its entire life!!! The dealership keeps on giving me the run around about the repairs. I wonder how many of the dealers have free leaks! They even made the mistake of telling me that there are several G6s that are being brought back because of the same problem!